Nottinghamshire’s player of the year Steven Mullaney has announced a short-term contract to play club cricket in Bangladesh over the coming week.
The all-rounder will join Khelaghar Samaj Kalyan Samity for their four remaining fixtures in the Dhaka Premier League.
“The side is struggling a bit, they’re next to bottom and the bottom side will get relegated,” said Mullaney.
“I’ll get out there in time for the last four matches, and I’ll be looking to make an immediate impact, put some performances together and get them out of bother.”
“I think it’s really important to get out there and play in different conditions.
“Mick is very keen for us to get out there, test ourselves abroad and I think it’ll really benefit me too.
“I think it’s really important to get out there and play in different conditions.
“Mick is very keen for us to get out there, test ourselves abroad and I think it’ll really benefit me too.”
As well as the Newell’s blessing, Mullaney has received backing from a number of characters in the cricketing world ahead of the trip, all of whom were sure that testing himself overseas would be an excellent experience.
“The move started with a conversation with Gareth Cross, who has just left Lancashire,” he said.
“He mentioned he had a contact in Bangladesh, and that it would be great for me. My agent said the same.
“I spoke to Chris Nash of Sussex, and Moeen Ali, who both said it would help my development and that I should go out and play.”
Mullaney will go into the Dhaka Premier League in good form, having finished the season strongly with Nottinghamshire. His ambitions, however, lie beyond the DPL.
I really want to make an impression,” he said.
“The auction for the Bangladesh Premier League is just after Christmas, and I want my name to be in the hat for it.
“Of course, I’ve always got one eye on international cricket.
“I think that my route in will be through the white-ball game, but cricket changes very quickly.
“If I’m lucky enough to start opening the batting next season and continue where I finished, then who knows?”